Language Access Policy

Translate page: عربى (Arabic), বাঙালি (Bengali),  中文 (Chinese),  Kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian-Creole),  Italiano (Italian),  한국어 (Korean),  Polski (Polish),  Русскийy (Russian),  Español (Spanish),  יידיש (Yiddish)

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Language Translations

On March 26, 2021, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed Executive Order 26.1,  which directs executive state agencies that provide direct public services to offer language assistance services (translation and interpretation) to people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).  EO 26.1 amended the Governor’s Executive Order 26, originally issued in October 2011.

In signing this Executive Order, Governor Cuomo recognized that there are millions of New Yorkers who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English.  For these New Yorkers, their LEP status presents potential barriers to accessing important government programs and services.

What does Executive Order 26.1 require?

• Each executive state agency that provides direct public services is required to offer interpretation services to individuals in their primary language with respect to the provision of services or benefits.
• These agencies are also required to translate vital documents, including public documents such as forms, in the ten most common non-English languages spoken by LEP individuals in the State of New York (based on the most recent United States census data).   
• The agencies are also required to appoint a Language Access Coordinator and to publish a Language Access Plan.

What are the ten most common non-English languages spoken in New York State?

At the moment, the top ten languages are:

• Spanish
• Chinese
• Russian
• Yiddish
• Bengali
• Korean
• Haitian Creole
• Italian
• Arabic
• Polish

While all covered state agencies are required to provide translation services for these ten languages, some agencies may also choose to add additional languages based on the needs of the population they serve and other federal requirements.